Join us in English II to see how the human experience--real life, your life--is the foundation of the best stories, plays, poems, films, and articles. In each unit of the course, we explore a specific aspect of the human experience such as Laughter, Obstacles, Betrayal, and Fear. Through the study of literature, nonfiction, and life, we will explore what it means to be human, what it means to be fulfilled, triumphant, empowered, and transformed.

Junior English Semester 1 & 2 (Honors Option)

Extra, extra, read all about it! It’s all right here in black and white, in the pages of The Virtual Times newspaper. Published at key periods in American history, The Virtual Times takes us right to the action. The writing is clear and concise. The stories and opinions give us perspective. The sports and entertainment sections give us the color and flavor of the times. In English III, the writing and insights of authors throughout our history are collected in the fast-paced pages of The Virtual Times. You’ll gain appreciation of American literature and the ways it reflects the times in which it was written.You’ll discover how people thought and lived and wrote about their experiences. You’ll also be asked to observe, investigate, and report on the stories of today. The goal is to become thorough, accurate, and compelling in your writing. Perhaps in times to come, people will want to read what you thought and wrote.

Senior English Semester 1 & 2 (Honors Option)

Come explore the world of big ideas in English IV, where you will be able to choose which path you will travel first as you explore highly-engaging, thematic units. Each path will guide you through a series of literary pieces that allow you to analyze political, social, economic, and cultural messages of its time as well as its relevance to the world you live in today.Each path revolves around a central theme. The works in the course span a period of over 1000 years and have been written by authors who share common ideas, but employs a variety of literary genres to express their views. Whether it is the dramatic ending of a play, or the colorful images in a verse of poetry, the words of these authors will leave you with a new understanding of the world around you. As you travel down each path, you will create authentic work pieces that will engage you in higher-level learning and provide you with a greater understanding of literature and its connection to the world.

Math

Geometry Semester 1 & 2 (Honors Option)

Geometry is everywhere, not just in pyramids. Engineers use geometry to build highways and bridges. Artists use geometry to create personal perspective in their paintings, and mapmakers help travelers find things using the points located on a geometric grids. Throughout this course, students travel a mathematical highway illuminated by spatial relationships, reasoning, connections, and problem solving.

Advanced Algebra Semester 1 & 1 (Honors Option)

Starting with a review of basic algebra, you will learn polynomials, quadratic equations, exponential and logarithmic relations, and probability and statistics.

Social Studies

U.S. History Semester 1 & 2 (Honors Option)

The United States began as an experiment in freedom and democracy. Since its establishment, the country and its people have endured social, political, and economic revolutions. In this course, students will investigate the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from the end of the Civil War through today. Students are asked to analyze and evaluate decisions made by political, business, and military leaders. Emphasis is placed on connections between events of the past and present. This course also gives students the opportunity to conduct research and apply their learning to current, real-world problems.

Personal Psychology 1: The Road to Self-Discovery

Self-knowledge is the key to self-improvement! More than 800,000 high school students take psychology classes each year. Among the different reasons, there is usually the common theme of self discovery! Sample topics include the study of infancy, childhood, adolescence, perception, and states of consciousness. Amazing online psychology experiments dealing with our own personal behavior are featured within this course.

Personal Psychology 2: Living in a Complex World

Enrich the quality of your life by learning to understand the actions of others! Topics include the study of memory, intelligence, emotion, health, stress, and personality. This course features exciting online psychology experiments involving the world around us.

Social Problems 1: A World in Crisis

Students will learn more about the challenges facing societies and the relationships between societies, governments, and individuals in these areas. Each unit will focus on a particular area of social concern, often with a global view, and examine possible solutions at both a structural and individual level.

Social Problems 2: Crisis, Conflicts, & Challenges

The Social Problems II course continues to examine the social problems that affect individuals and societies in the world today. Students learn about the overall structure of the social problem as well as how it impacts their lives. Each unit focuses on a particular social problem, including racial discrimination, drug abuse, the loss of community, and urban sprawl, and discusses possible solutions at both the individual and structural levels. Students examine the connections in each issue between societies, individuals, governments, and the global arena.

Science

Forensic Science 1: Secrets of the Dead

Fingerprints. Blood spatter. DNA analysis. The world of law enforcement is increasingly making use of the techniques and knowledge from the sciences to better understand the crimes that are committed and to catch those individuals responsible for the crimes. Forensic science applies scientific knowledge to the criminal justice system. This course focuses on some of the techniques and practices used by forensic scientists during a crime scene investigation (CSI). Starting with how clues and data are recorded and preserved, the student will follow evidence trails until the CSI goes to trial, examining how various elements of the crime scene are analyzed and processed.

Forensic Science 2: More Secrets of the Dead

Although the crime scene represents the first step in solving crimes through forensic science, the crime laboratory plays a critical role in the analysis of evidence. This course focuses on the analysis of evidence and testing that takes place within this setting. We will examine some of the basic scientific principles and knowledge that guides forensic laboratory processes, such as those testing DNA, toxicology, and material analysis. Techniques such as microscopy, chromatography, odontology, entomology, mineralogy, and spectroscopy will be examined.

Biotechnology: Unlocking Nature’s Secrets

In today’s world, biotechnology helps us grow food, fight diseases, and create alternative fuels. In this course, students will explore the science behind biotechnology and how this science is being used to solve medical and environmental problems.

Electives

Game Design 1a: Introduction

The possibilities are endless when it comes to video game design! Learn about the history of gaming, software and hardware, troubleshooting, and Internet safety. Tap into your creative abilities and learn the necessary skills to design your own gaming platforms and create a plan for a 2D game. Turn your hobby into a future career.

MATERIALS

Computer with:

Internet access

Slideshow program

Word processing program

Unity LTS release 2017.4.0f1

OS: Windows 7 SPI+, 8, 10, 64-bit versions only; Mac OS X 10.9+

GPU: Graphics card with DX 10 (shader model 4.0) capabilities

If you do not have access to a computer with these capabilities, then you must be able to work at Warriner to complete the final unit of the course.